Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-06
JOHN G CALHOUN.

GLOBE democrat
If the memory Of John c. Calhoun is
worthy of monument at all it is peculiar
ly fitting that the monument should be
erected in Charleston. 1t Is true the per-
nicious and destructive doctrine with which
his name will be forever linked in Ameri
can history was proposed and advocated in
the interest OF the slave states as whole,
and that most of these states for upwards
If third of century chung to that doc
trine with all the fervor and tenacity of a
religious creed. But that principle in its
more modern application was originally
formulated in South Carolina, and 1t was
Charleston-irst in 1882 and again In 1861
i'm which the principle was attempted to
be carried into execution. The doc
trine of notification first found
open and public expression In the
Virginia and Kentucky resolutions of 1898
80. In conventions held In those common
wealths In the years named, respectively,
the monstrOus claim was made that each
state had the right to be the judge of the
constitutionslity Of any law of congress.
and the right also to prevent the execution
of such law within it, own domain. This
was the doctrine formally proposed by
John c. Calhoun IN his native state in 1928
and which was then called the South Caro-
lima exposition. The spirit Of the Vir-
ginia and Kentucky resolutions was per
mitted to lie dormant for thirty years.
Calhoun revived it, and made it vital force
in American politics for more than gener
alton.
The theory Of notification was first ad-
vocated in congress by South Carolinian
of far greater ability and parliamentary
skill than John G. Calhoun. This was
Robert Y. Hayne. Hayne was then a
member Of tho senate. This measure, as
presented BY Havne. called forth the
famous reply Of Webster. the conclusion
of which, - given In the school books,
has been read By several generations OF
American children, and still forms the
noblest and most impressive peroratiOA in
the English language. Although Haynes
name in one of the most picturesque aud
dramatic episodes In the history of delib-
erativs assemblies. 10 indissoluably connect
ed with the doctrine Of States rights, this
principle was openly adopted by Calhoun
IS his life work several months earlier. and
it was On Cslhouu's suggestion that Hsyne
presented ii in the senate. Hayn., as .
national figure. subsidized shortly aftsrwa,d.
while Calhoun. in the vice presidency, the
senate and the cabinet. was privileged to
stand a. notifications author and most
conspicuous advocate until nearly quarter
OF = century later.
Perhaps the man Is not yet born in the
United States who can form q correct and
impartial estimate OF the public life of the
great nullifer. The passions produced BY
the War. which was the logical outcome OF
Mr. CLhoun's teachings have not yet sub
dued sufficiently. even among the men who
were born after the ConfedeIscy collapsed,
to permit thoroughly fair and unbiased
judgment to be made OF him as politician
and u statesman Much of the odium
which chung to his name among the people
Of the north hiss vanished, but il win lot
all depart while any of the manned veterans
Of the Uaion remain to remind the public
of the contest which his mischievous and
unholy doctrines precipitaied upon the
country. Tbs exercises in Charleston
prove that the south still continues
too much under the spell Of
his teachings to permit true
and discriminating estimate 70 be made, In
that section, of the value Of his life work
In it, broad political aspects. But even the